美联社新闻一分钟 AP 乌克兰东部冲突升级（在线收听）

This is AP News Minute.

The head of Homeland security defended President Donald Trump's immigration ban, saying its intention is to keep would-be terrorists out of the US. But hundreds of American diplomats defied a White House warning, criticizing the ban in a memo to State Department leadership.

Democrats forced delays in planned Senate committee votes Tuesday on Trump's picks for health and treasury secretaries and attorney general. The delays came amid growing Democratic fury over many of the administration's early moves.

Fighting between government troops and Russia-backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine escalated, causing serious damage to buildings in the city of Donetsk. At least 8 people had been killed Monday and early Tuesday.

Almost 2000 people joined hands in a saltwater lake in Buenos Aires, setting a new Guinness World Record for most people simultaneously floating. The people formed an unassisted free floating line in the lake renowned for its buoyancy.

Noreen Nasir, Associated Press with AP News Minute.